The Eagle Begins to Paint a Picture of Happiness
Nazım Hikmet’s famous question to Abidin Dino-“Can you paint a picture of happiness?”-may offer one of the most fitting ways to describe Beşiktaş’s current transformation. Vincenzo Italiano has not yet completed the entire picture, but he has already begun adding clear, confident strokes to the canvas.
The 3-0 victory over Kauno Žalgiris at Tüpraş Stadium was more than a comfortable result that placed Beşiktaş in a commanding position ahead of the Europa League play-off return leg. It also revealed the identity Italiano is trying to build: an aggressive, organized and possession-oriented team that wants to control matches rather than merely react to opponents.
Beşiktaş made its intentions clear from the opening minutes. In the sixth minute, Rıdvan Yılmaz’s corner found Oh Hyeon-gyu at the near post, and the South Korean forward headed the ball into the net. Six minutes later, Rıdvan was involved again, this time creating the opportunity that Murillo finished successfully. Orkun Kökçü then converted a penalty in the second half to complete the scoreline.
Rıdvan’s two assists were particularly significant. The full-back, whose performances had occasionally been questioned last season, looked far more influential within Italiano’s tactical structure. His contribution suggested that several players previously viewed as inconsistent may regain confidence and become valuable parts of the new system.
However, the most important details were not visible on the scoreboard. Beşiktaş lined up in a 4-1-4-1 formation and spent most of the match in the opponent’s half. The team enjoyed 77 percent possession, produced 21 shots, won 15 corners and allowed Kauno Žalgiris only three attempts. With more than 600 passes, the home side dictated the tempo almost from start to finish.
The reaction after losing possession was equally encouraging. Italiano’s players stayed close to one another, reduced the available passing lanes and immediately surrounded the area where the ball had been lost. In many situations, four or five Beşiktaş players joined the press within seconds.
This approach is not limited to forcing an opponent into a mistake. Its real purpose is to recover the ball quickly and restart the attack before the opposition can organize. That response may become one of the defining characteristics of Italiano’s Beşiktaş. A strong team is not judged only by how effectively it uses possession; it is also measured by what it does the moment possession disappears.
The encouraging signs have appeared even though the squad is still incomplete. Dusan Vlahovic made his first appearance in a Beşiktaş shirt, adding a new and potentially decisive element to the attack. It would be unrealistic to expect immediate perfection from a striker who has only just joined his teammates, but his physical strength, movement inside the penalty area and ability to run behind defensive lines could significantly expand Italiano’s attacking options.
Vlahovic’s arrival may also change the way Beşiktaş approaches different types of matches. Against teams defending deep, his presence can provide a stronger focal point in the box. Against opponents that press high, his ability to attack open spaces may offer a direct alternative to patient possession football.
There is also a concern that cannot be ignored. Leandro Trossard was forced to leave the game with an injury, and his condition will be closely monitored. His experience, mobility and ability to operate across the front line make him an important part of Beşiktaş’s attacking variety. Any extended absence could test the depth of the squad, particularly while the team is adapting to a demanding schedule.
Despite that uncertainty, the overall picture remains positive. Beşiktaş secured its sixth official victory under the new coaching structure. The team has won five matches in Europe and one in the domestic league, while remaining unbeaten and conceding no goals during that run.
Of course, football rarely follows a perfect script. A draw will eventually arrive, and a defeat may come as well. The true test will not be whether Beşiktaş can remain unbeaten forever. The more important question is whether the team will continue to understand its principles when facing adversity.
The 3-0 result gives Beşiktaş a substantial advantage before the return match and makes qualification highly probable. Yet the more meaningful challenges will begin afterward, when the club faces stronger European opponents. Only against higher-quality teams will it become clear how far Italiano’s tactical plan has truly progressed.
The squad will also need greater depth as the season develops. European fixtures, domestic league games and possible injury problems will place pressure on every position. Maintaining the same intensity in possession, pressing and defensive organization across multiple competitions will require careful rotation and consistent concentration.
Individual improvement will be another key factor. Rıdvan’s performance showed how a clear tactical role can restore a player’s confidence. Similar progress from other members of the squad could be just as important as new signings. A successful team is not built solely through transfers; it is also created by helping existing players perform closer to their potential.
For now, the atmosphere around Beşiktaş is one of growing optimism. The supporters can see a recognizable style taking shape. The players appear more certain about their responsibilities, the coaching staff is beginning to receive results for its ideas, and the club administration can take satisfaction from seeing its plans reflected on the pitch.
The painting is not finished. Some areas remain empty, and several colors still need to be added. Nevertheless, Beşiktaş appears to be preparing a season around more than recruitment and individual talent. For the first time in a while, the club is building its campaign around a coherent football philosophy.
Perhaps Abidin Dino’s answer to Nazım Hikmet’s question will always remain open to interpretation. But Italiano has already shown Beşiktaş supporters the first lines of his own answer. If the team continues to develop with the same discipline, patience and ambition, the final picture may eventually become unmistakably black and white-and perhaps look very much like happiness.